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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro
10:24

Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro

Published on: June 18, 2015

Effects of statins on adhesion molecule expression in endothelial cells

Y Dimitrova1, S Dunoyer-Geindre, G Reber

  • 1Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|November 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Statins like simvastatin may increase the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis. This effect appears linked to the inhibition of geranylgeranylated proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are crucial for preventing atherosclerosis.
  • Adhesion molecule expression on activated endothelial cells (EC) drives atherosclerosis initiation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of simvastatin, fluvastatin, and pravastatin on adhesion molecule expression in activated EC.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of statin-induced effects on EC activation.

Main Methods:

  • Human EC were pretreated with statins, with or without mevalonate or isoprenoid intermediates (FPP, GGPP).
  • EC were activated with TNF-alpha or LPS, and adhesion molecule expression (E-selectin, VCAM-1) was measured.
  • Experiments included selective inhibitors of geranylgeranyltransferase (GGTI-286) and farnesyltransferase (FTI-277).

Main Results:

  • Statins potentiated TNF-alpha and LPS-induced E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression.
  • Mevalonate and GGPP reversed the statin-induced potentiation; FPP showed a partial effect.
  • GGTI-286 mimicked statin effects, increasing E-selectin expression, unlike FTI-277.

Conclusions:

  • Statins enhance E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression in TNF-alpha/LPS-stimulated EC.
  • Inhibition of geranylgeranylated proteins may mediate statin-induced changes in EC adhesion molecule expression.
Abstract

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